Installed Champion Plugs
Shelby GT500 Member
Joined: October 9, 2006
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 1
From: It's tough in the jungle !
Scott, although the article doesn't cover the Brisk 3v spark plug. At least we have a much better understanding of their superior quality, when compared to OEM Motorcraft plugs.
So yes, I definitely found the article as very interesting. In the meantime, I'm still debating over the Brisk plugs, and the Champions. Especially if their going to be available through Summit Racing for $ 4.95 ea. For that price, you just can't beat it.
However I'll have to see it, before I believe it.
So yes, I definitely found the article as very interesting. In the meantime, I'm still debating over the Brisk plugs, and the Champions. Especially if their going to be available through Summit Racing for $ 4.95 ea. For that price, you just can't beat it.
However I'll have to see it, before I believe it.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: November 3, 2005
Posts: 566
Likes: 0
From: Cary, NC
Mine idled like crap too. Of course, it wasn't until I pulled the 7th plug that I found the one above.
Lesson learned - go easy on the anti-seize.
9 is not my lucky number.
Joined: March 12, 2004
Posts: 3,663
Likes: 1
GTR Member
Joined: April 20, 2005
Posts: 4,660
Likes: 2
From: Tampa,FL
Okay, there is a lot of talk here and I have some answers. If you look at any late model F150 Forum, this topic has been discussed in great lenght as those engines use the same plug design (crappy).
The longer you wait to pull out your plugs and put some antiseize on the ground portion of the plug the more likely you are to break it off in the head. I don't have the TSB on me, but do a search. There is a very specific way to take these plugs out to reduce the risk of breaking them. Don't use WD40 it is no good at breaking down the carbon build up.
If you break the plug, yes there is a tool to get it out. It is expensive, but I have seen them on Ebay for pretty cheap. As these engines (not just in Mustangs) get older, the plug issue is becoming more apparent to all as they have to come out to be changed. If you take your Mustang in to get the plugs changed, you will be told up front that if the mechanic breaks a plug, you will pay to get it removed. This tool that Ford uses to remove the broken ground part of the plug is not fool proof. There is still the chance the head will have to be removed to get the broken part out.
SO, changing your plugs now and get the antisieze on as per TSB now will save you a ton of problems in the future.
Someone asked if I can get a picture of the tool I made. Do a search on the net and you will find a pictureof it, it is made by Rotunda. I am a machinst and made my own by looking at pictures and taking measurements from the engine and then reverse engineering it. You will need a tap 9X1.0 mm to tap the broken part in the head.
The longer you wait to pull out your plugs and put some antiseize on the ground portion of the plug the more likely you are to break it off in the head. I don't have the TSB on me, but do a search. There is a very specific way to take these plugs out to reduce the risk of breaking them. Don't use WD40 it is no good at breaking down the carbon build up.
If you break the plug, yes there is a tool to get it out. It is expensive, but I have seen them on Ebay for pretty cheap. As these engines (not just in Mustangs) get older, the plug issue is becoming more apparent to all as they have to come out to be changed. If you take your Mustang in to get the plugs changed, you will be told up front that if the mechanic breaks a plug, you will pay to get it removed. This tool that Ford uses to remove the broken ground part of the plug is not fool proof. There is still the chance the head will have to be removed to get the broken part out.
SO, changing your plugs now and get the antisieze on as per TSB now will save you a ton of problems in the future.
Someone asked if I can get a picture of the tool I made. Do a search on the net and you will find a pictureof it, it is made by Rotunda. I am a machinst and made my own by looking at pictures and taking measurements from the engine and then reverse engineering it. You will need a tap 9X1.0 mm to tap the broken part in the head.
One more thing. There is a great technical video on the net on this very topic that shows the removal of the spark plug, the way to use the tool if you break the plug and where to put the antisieze (not on the threads). Very well put together, except for the tools that are doing the talking, they should never take on any future acting roles!
Last edited by Boltzman; Apr 9, 2008 at 10:05 AM.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: September 24, 2004
Posts: 901
Likes: 1
From: Victoria, BC, Canada
Agreed, I have not had much luck with Champion over the years. Personally, I think NGK makes a great plug.
Bullitt Member
Joined: December 23, 2007
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Poland
9 is not my lucky number.
Joined: March 12, 2004
Posts: 3,663
Likes: 1
my car has been sputtering when idling recently and seems to be getting worse. Going to pull the plugs in a few hours and check them. Like I said before I think it's tooo much antiseize.
When driving they seem fine
I also reoiled my CAI at the same time so I may have gotten oil on the MAF, would do the same thing. Gonna check that too
When driving they seem fine
I also reoiled my CAI at the same time so I may have gotten oil on the MAF, would do the same thing. Gonna check that too
Shelby GT500 Member
Joined: October 9, 2006
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 1
From: It's tough in the jungle !
Team Mustang Source
Joined: July 4, 2006
Posts: 2,872
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis Area
I talked to a service writer at a major Mustang dealer in the area, and I asked him all about the plugs and problems they were having with the carbon buildup...etc. He said they know about the problem, blah blah blah. The interesting thing was I told him I had already bought some plugs, and I mistakenly told him they were Champions (I actually bought Autolite's). When he heard that, he started yelling at me to take them back, and the Champions were junk. When I corrected myself and told him they were Autolite's, he kept rambling about how bad the Champions were for the Mustangs.
Basically after a 15 minute phone call I got this from him: If your car, whatever car it is, came with Champions, that's great and keep using them. If it came with NGK's, great keep using them. Some plugs work great on some cars, and not on others. He didn't know why, but he sounded like he sure knew what he was talking about.
Oh yeah, and after he told me something like $500 to replace the plugs at the dealer, he proceeded to take about 10 minutes and tell me step by step how to do it myself and save some $$. Cool guy, I don't think he was b.s.-ing me.
Basically after a 15 minute phone call I got this from him: If your car, whatever car it is, came with Champions, that's great and keep using them. If it came with NGK's, great keep using them. Some plugs work great on some cars, and not on others. He didn't know why, but he sounded like he sure knew what he was talking about.
Oh yeah, and after he told me something like $500 to replace the plugs at the dealer, he proceeded to take about 10 minutes and tell me step by step how to do it myself and save some $$. Cool guy, I don't think he was b.s.-ing me.
Shelby GT500 Member
Joined: October 9, 2006
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 1
From: It's tough in the jungle !
I talked to a service writer at a major Mustang dealer in the area, and I asked him all about the plugs and problems they were having with the carbon buildup...etc. He said they know about the problem, blah blah blah. The interesting thing was I told him I had already bought some plugs, and I mistakenly told him they were Champions (I actually bought Autolite's). When he heard that, he started yelling at me to take them back, and the Champions were junk. When I corrected myself and told him they were Autolite's, he kept rambling about how bad the Champions were for the Mustangs.
Basically after a 15 minute phone call I got this from him: If your car, whatever car it is, came with Champions, that's great and keep using them. If it came with NGK's, great keep using them. Some plugs work great on some cars, and not on others. He didn't know why, but he sounded like he sure knew what he was talking about.
Oh yeah, and after he told me something like $500 to replace the plugs at the dealer, he proceeded to take about 10 minutes and tell me step by step how to do it myself and save some $$. Cool guy, I don't think he was b.s.-ing me.
Basically after a 15 minute phone call I got this from him: If your car, whatever car it is, came with Champions, that's great and keep using them. If it came with NGK's, great keep using them. Some plugs work great on some cars, and not on others. He didn't know why, but he sounded like he sure knew what he was talking about.
Oh yeah, and after he told me something like $500 to replace the plugs at the dealer, he proceeded to take about 10 minutes and tell me step by step how to do it myself and save some $$. Cool guy, I don't think he was b.s.-ing me.
Cobra Member
Joined: September 4, 2006
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 1
From: Nor-Cal
He's is right ! I wouldn't run Champion's in my lawn mower let alone in my Stang ! Ford motors are famous for not responding well to aftermarket plugs...Some of these guy's crack me up they'll spend thousands on mods looking for more performasnce...Then try to cut corners on three of the most important aspects of performance. Spark, lubrication and oil filtration...
Ahahaha I said that like 6 pages ago. And couldnt agree more
Bosch is another one.
SUPERCHARGED RED ROCKET ------------------Master-Moderator
Joined: May 11, 2006
Posts: 10,645
Likes: 2,511
From: Carnegie, PA
I talked to a service writer at a major Mustang dealer in the area, and I asked him all about the plugs and problems they were having with the carbon buildup...etc. He said they know about the problem, blah blah blah. The interesting thing was I told him I had already bought some plugs, and I mistakenly told him they were Champions (I actually bought Autolite's). When he heard that, he started yelling at me to take them back, and the Champions were junk. When I corrected myself and told him they were Autolite's, he kept rambling about how bad the Champions were for the Mustangs.
Basically after a 15 minute phone call I got this from him: If your car, whatever car it is, came with Champions, that's great and keep using them. If it came with NGK's, great keep using them. Some plugs work great on some cars, and not on others. He didn't know why, but he sounded like he sure knew what he was talking about.
Oh yeah, and after he told me something like $500 to replace the plugs at the dealer, he proceeded to take about 10 minutes and tell me step by step how to do it myself and save some $$. Cool guy, I don't think he was b.s.-ing me.
Basically after a 15 minute phone call I got this from him: If your car, whatever car it is, came with Champions, that's great and keep using them. If it came with NGK's, great keep using them. Some plugs work great on some cars, and not on others. He didn't know why, but he sounded like he sure knew what he was talking about.
Oh yeah, and after he told me something like $500 to replace the plugs at the dealer, he proceeded to take about 10 minutes and tell me step by step how to do it myself and save some $$. Cool guy, I don't think he was b.s.-ing me.
Last edited by m05fastbackGT; Apr 9, 2008 at 07:49 PM.
Team Mustang Source
Joined: July 4, 2006
Posts: 2,872
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis Area
The only thing he recommended was getting a new set of Motorcraft's. Keep in mind this was about 1.5 months ago, so I don't think he knew much about the Brisk's yet...I sure didn't. He told me to do pretty much exactly as the TSB on spark plug removal says, except he said use some Liquid Wrench, and definitely not WD-40 because that stuff will not soften the carbon like Liquid Wrench.
I did exactly as he said and with 60K miles on my plugs I had no problems removing them. They were sticky at first, but as soon as I got them broke free initially, they turned fairly easily and no screetching. I let them soak overnight with the Liquid Wrench in the plug holes, and a stone cold engine.
I only pulled 2 plugs though, they looked like brand new and had almost no carbon buildup. I put them right back in. I'll check again at 100K and probably replace then. No sense wasting 8 perfectly good plugs.
I did exactly as he said and with 60K miles on my plugs I had no problems removing them. They were sticky at first, but as soon as I got them broke free initially, they turned fairly easily and no screetching. I let them soak overnight with the Liquid Wrench in the plug holes, and a stone cold engine.
I only pulled 2 plugs though, they looked like brand new and had almost no carbon buildup. I put them right back in. I'll check again at 100K and probably replace then. No sense wasting 8 perfectly good plugs.
Bullitt Member
Joined: December 23, 2007
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Poland
Ok. so now you all saying champion is **** spark plug but few pages ago it was great lol.
Just more people come on the forum who do not like champion or do not want to spend money on new set of plugs and that is why they are bad now.
There is one more guy who change them recently and he was very happy, even said that car is running better. It was ‘blk05stang’. Hope he will look here and will say something more about his experience with Champion spark plug after 2 weeks of driving.
Just more people come on the forum who do not like champion or do not want to spend money on new set of plugs and that is why they are bad now.
There is one more guy who change them recently and he was very happy, even said that car is running better. It was ‘blk05stang’. Hope he will look here and will say something more about his experience with Champion spark plug after 2 weeks of driving.
Last edited by seabiscuit; Apr 10, 2008 at 12:04 AM.
Bullitt Member
Joined: December 23, 2007
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Poland
Why you put antiseize on one piece plugs. That has no sense. What for? When the antiseize will melt down to the camber it will make a lot of deposits. When it will melt on spark plug electrode it also will limited its power.